LKIM chief proposes dedicated taskforce to prevent intrusion into Malaysian waters
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (File Photo)
KUCHING: Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Irmohizam Ibrahim has suggested that a special committee be set up to coordinate and facilitate enforcement agencies in curbing encroachment into Malaysian waters by foreign fishermen.
He proposed that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi chair the committee.
“I welcome the call by DPM (for enforcement agencies to be more serious in curbing the encroachment of Malaysian waters by foreign fishermen),” he said during an inspection visit to LKIM Tanjung Bako Fishery Complex in Tanjung Bako here yesterday.
“It showed that he is seriously concerned about the issue especially the intrusion of foreign fishermen as I am always hearing the grouses from the fishing community, notably in the east coast of the Peninsula as well as in Sabah and Sarawak,” he added.
Irmohizam was commenting on the loss of seafood worth between RM3 billion and RM6 billion annually due to illegal fishing.
Noting the multiple enforcement and government agencies involved, he pointed out the need to create a special committee using the NBOS (National Blue Ocean Strategy) concept to serve as the central body to coordinate strategies and communications among agencies including the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Fisheries Department, Immigration Department and LKIM itself.
“First, the coordination will enable better channelling of information and sharing of equipment because each agency has its own limitation,” he said.
“The creation of the special committee will send an important message to foreign fishermen that we will not compromise with their illegal activities, stealing fishery products in our waters,” he continued.
“Secondly, the joint effort will demonstrate unification of agencies under one roof, by which the fishermen can also join us later,” he added.
Irmohizam expressed confidence that the upcoming Budget 2018 will touch on enhancing enforcement, which he viewed as timely for MMEA to add more assets to carry out operations in international waters in Malaysia.
“This is an important message to assure local fishermen that marine resources of Malaysia must be the resources of our economy. This is also to ensure that fish supply particularly in the country can continue to increase,” he said, adding that demand for fish in Malaysia is increasing.
According to news report, it was estimated that only about 50 per cent of seafood caught in local waters landed in the country while the rest were not reported due to leakages – foreign fishermen invading the country’s waters and local fishermen selling their catch to foreign fishermen.